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Oxymoron Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 257 Ratings

  • Summary: The major label debut release for the Los Angles rapper features guest appearances from 2 Chainz, BJ the Chicago Kid, Kurupt, Jay Rock, Raekwon, Suga Free, and Tyler The Creator.
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Top Track

Studio
I'm just sitting in the studio just trying to get to you, baby But this song so fucking dope, girl, it's hard for me not to play it To tell the... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 30
  2. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Feb 26, 2014
    91
    It’s something special, just like it was always planned to be.
  2. Feb 25, 2014
    85
    Make no mistake, Oxymoron is rather brilliant, and provides a perfect foundation to build upon in later releases. An exciting release from an exciting artist.
  3. Feb 27, 2014
    80
    Through varied production, Q strikes a balance between his hard persona and the party vibe found on Habits’ catchiest tracks.
  4. 75
    The height at which Oxymoron’s target is set is not very impressive, but the precision and showmanship with which it’s hit deserves commendation.
  5. Mar 13, 2014
    70
    While Oxymoron is never dull, thanks to Q’s indisputable skills as a rapper and beat selector, by its conclusion you’ll wish he’d given less of its runtime over to his gangsta persona and more to exploring his own identity.
  6. Feb 27, 2014
    70
    ScHoolboy Q comes off like the dude who gives in to all the peer pressure, constantly on the verge of betraying his talents and smarts just to fit in and be one of the bros. The weirder he gets, the better.
  7. Mar 7, 2014
    50
    Ultimately, nothing hangs together long enough to enable a consistent or enjoyable listening experience.

See all 30 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 40
  2. Negative: 5 out of 40
  1. Feb 25, 2014
    10
    This album is what I was excpecting from schoolboy q. It was a very enjoyable gangster rap album with plenty of bangers. I am giving it a 10This album is what I was excpecting from schoolboy q. It was a very enjoyable gangster rap album with plenty of bangers. I am giving it a 10 because people had mixed opinions about the leak and I think it deserves a higher score than people have been giving it. I love all the singles and songs like blind threats and prescription/oxymoron. Very good album. Just don't expect it to be like Good Kid m.A.A.d city Expand
  2. Mar 5, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Every song on this album is unique and offers something fresh and different and the most obvious point that I got from listening to the album the first time is that ScHoolboy has greatly improved his song writing. Oxymoron is ScHoolboy Q's best project and it's one of the best in it's genre of gangsta rap. Right from the start the album kicks off with 'Gangsta' which immediately sets the tone for the album, the production is on point and Q sounds great on it which goes for every track that comes after. The stand-out tracks on the album are Hoover Street, Prescription-Oxymoron, Break The Bank, Blind Threats and **** LA. ScHoolboy Q has managed to resurrect a genre that has been stale for long a time, not only by choosing fresh and experimental beats but by changing the his voice so that he sounds very different on every verse. His great flow and line delivery makes up for his average lyricism, Q isn't trying to be Kendrick, Ab-Soul or Jay Rock he is on a different lane and a lane that is needed in the Black Hippy crew. Q has put out a great body of work that lived up to it's hype and it contains two tracks that aren't singles but have the potential to be, Studio and Hell of a Night. The features on Oxymoron are stellar, especially Raekwon and Kurupt, who both body their verses. Oxymoron is a Great project, I have listened to this album many times since it's release and I have the feeling I will do for a long time. Expand
  3. Dec 17, 2014
    9
    Schoolboy Q has made the best west coast hip-hop album of the year. This album is helping revive Gangsta Rap and it is one of the best hip-hopSchoolboy Q has made the best west coast hip-hop album of the year. This album is helping revive Gangsta Rap and it is one of the best hip-hop albums of the year. Expand
  4. May 15, 2020
    8
    I was hesitant to give this album an 8, I nearly gave it a 7, and I'll tell you why. 'Gangsta' is a decent song, I really like the gacka gackaI was hesitant to give this album an 8, I nearly gave it a 7, and I'll tell you why. 'Gangsta' is a decent song, I really like the gacka gacka gacka, and knock knock knock knock. 'Los Awesome' had awesome production, Jay Rock's verse was pretty good, overall decent. 'Collard Greens' is a bop, love the chorus, Kendrick carried Q. 'What They Want' was a solid song with both artists doing good. 'Hoover Street' had some amazing storytelling and everything about this song was just perfect. 'Studio' is a nice, chill song. 'Prescription/Oxymoron's first half was honestly beautiful, talking about prescription addiction, and a really good second half. 'The Purge' was alright, I lost interest in some place to be quite honest. 'Blind Threats' had a great beat, decent song. 'Hell Of A Night' was a head bump, good song. 'Break The Bank' kind of embodies the whole theme of the album, and I like it. 'Man Of The Year' was a decent way of ending the album. the reason why I nearly gave this album a 7 is because there are a good amount of songs lacking some good lyrics (Gangsta, Los Awesome, The Purge, Blind Threats, Man Of The Year to name the main ones). and that very much brought down the enjoyment of the album a little, like they were still decent, but it was lacking. The reasons why i ended up giving this album an 8 is because 2 reasons...1. The whole Bank Robbing, Gangster, Hustling Theme really had me sold....and 2. Q's delivery was so agressive and that made everything so well. Favourite Tracks: What They Want, Hoover Street, Prescription/Oxymoron. Expand
  5. Mar 12, 2014
    7
    The content of the writing should not blow anyone way. Schoolboy Q is not a poet. However, Oxymoron unleashed to power of music. The power ofThe content of the writing should not blow anyone way. Schoolboy Q is not a poet. However, Oxymoron unleashed to power of music. The power of rap. The performances on this album will take you to a whole another place philosophically, psychological. Oxymoron may not be good for your mind, but like a drug, you will not be able to say no. "Man of the year" is the best rap song of 2014 so far, I cannot see anyone topping it (Unless Kendrick or Soul drop). “Break the bank” and “Gangster” along with “Man of the year” should all be nominated for best rap performance at 2015 Grammies. Oxymoron=the power of music. Grooveline Part 2 should be nominated for best rap/sung collaboration. With that being said, without lyrical depth 8/10 is the highest I can go. Expand
  6. Mar 12, 2014
    7
    Oxymoron is missing the initial consciousness we saw on Habits & Contradictions, but is still a good album, with well produced, well written,Oxymoron is missing the initial consciousness we saw on Habits & Contradictions, but is still a good album, with well produced, well written, listener-friendly tracks like Man of the Year and Collard Greens. Step in the right direction. Expand
  7. Feb 25, 2014
    1
    Horrible, horrible album. Screaming into the microphone isnt rapping, and its all Q does on this album. Not an enjoyable listen at all, I wishHorrible, horrible album. Screaming into the microphone isnt rapping, and its all Q does on this album. Not an enjoyable listen at all, I wish I could have my time back i wasted listening to this. Expand

See all 40 User Reviews